Purple and Gold-leaved Japanese barberry
Connecticut may well be on its way to finally banning the sale of Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii). I saw this intriguing little article in a recent update from the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA). Following is the article in its entirety:
“CT Green Industry reps are proposing self-imposed voluntary phase-outs on several cultivars of Japanese barberry, starting this year in Connecticut. Dave Goodwin and Paul Larson, the two industry members of the state invasive plants council, proposed that the industry agree to follow the science it sponsored at UConn, which has found that some barberry cultivars produce more fruit/seed than the green barberry everyone agrees is invasive. There was discussion, but no opposition, to the proposal at CNLA’s annual meeting two weeks ago. CNLA will soon hold a meeting with growers on this. Goodwin and Larson said it’s better for the industry to self-regulate than to face another law passed by the Connecticut legislature banning more plants.”
The abundance of fruit (or seeds) is one factor that contributes to Japanese barberry's invasive habit
Many homeowners plant Japanese barberry because it adds year-round color and is deer-resistant, both noble qualities in any plant. However, many of them do not know about the plant’s invasive tendencies. It’s up to the powers-that-be in Connecticut to step in and do their part now. Educating people about the negative aspects of Japanese barberry and offering suitable, non-invasive alternatives will also be needed.
To learn about the Japanese barberry and its link to Lyme Disease, click here.
I’ll keep you updated on the progress of the proposed self-imposed phase out of Japanese barberry in Connecticut as I learn more details.
Photo credits: Photo of Japanese barberry cultivars courtesy of provenwinners.com. Photo of Japanese barberry seeds courtesy of Marbleheadconservancy.org.
That would be great, but I question the ability of the nursery industry to police itself. It’s not just barberry, it’s a host of invasive plants like the purple liatris and invasive strains of honeysuckle.
Yeah, yeah, and YEAH! Once banned, we’ll have to start convincing homeowners and property stewards to work to remove the hundreds of thousands of barberry shrubs taking over Connecticut’s wooded understory.
Thanks for keeping us informed of this.
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